Silence now once more reigned throughout the house; but in a few minutes the noise and bustle seemed to have been transferred to the yard.
Richard hurried to the window; but the moon had gone down and the darkness without was intense.
He concealed the light in a corner of the room, and then gently raised one of the windows.
But he could distinguish nothing with his eyes; and the sounds that met his ears were those of footsteps bustling to and fro. At length these ceased; a door was closed at the end of the yard; and almost immediately afterwards Richard heard, in the same direction, the rumbling noise of a vehicle moving heavily away.
When that din had ceased, the most profound tranquillity prevailed not only in the home but also in its neighbourhood.
That silence was interrupted only for a few moments by the sonorous bell of St. Giles's Church, proclaiming the hour of three.
"Time wears on," said Markham impatiently; "and no opportunity of satisfying myself upon the one point seems to present itself. To attempt to seek repose is impossible; to pass the dull hours in suspense like this is intolerable!"
Then he seated himself on one of the beds, and considered what course he should pursue.
Slowly—slowly passed the time; and though he revolved in his mind many plans, he could fix upon none.
At length the clock struck four.